When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

When Your AC And Circuit Breaker Do Not Work In Harmony ~ Expect The Breaker To Keep Tripping

by Clara Fernandez

Does your circuit breaker trip when your air conditioning system is running? If so, and this phenomenon started recently, you are likely puzzled and worried about whether or not you have a serious electrical or HVAC issue. Perhaps you have been resetting the circuit breaker when it trips; this is something that you need to stop doing immediately, because the breaker may be tripping in response to serious safety issues. The following things should be checked to ensure that they are not the reasons why your circuit breaker and AC do not appear to be harmoniously working together. 

Condenser Coil

Sometimes dirt and other types of debris, such as leaves, may make contact with the condenser coils of air-conditioning units. This can cause issues with the process of clean air exchange. You can inspect your condenser coils for signs of dirt or other debris. You may also clean them if you feel comfortable doing so. To clean the condenser coils, you can spray them using a water hose. You may also use a diluted bleach and water mix to spray the coils and loosen debris. Refrain from using abrasive brushes because they could damage condenser coils on certain units. 

Loose Wires

As your AC ages, there are certain components that will need to be replaced due to wear and tear. The more that a system starts to need repairs, the more likely it is that a replacement unit may be needed soon. The wires in your AC system will contract and expand as a result of the energy they use to keep the system working. If you notice loose or frayed wires, consider the age of your AC unit, and seek a professional who can tell you if the wires and age of your system are suggestive that it is time to upgrade or replace damaged wiring.

Air Filter

This is one of the simplest things that  you can check. Dirty filters may cause circuit breaker issues because they force units to work harder to produce cool air. This can cause AC units to overheat and circuit breakers to trip into the off position for safety reasons.  

Refrigerant Level

If your refrigerant levels need to be topped off, you may notice that your AC does not cool as well as you would like or as well as it once did. The AC will continue to try to meet your cooling needs, but it will inevitably overwork itself and trip. Unfortunately, if refrigerant issues are your problem, you will need to contact a professional to diagnose the issue and add the refrigerant in most jurisdictions.

Contact a service like Mike's Bremen Service Inc to learn more.


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About Me

When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

My name is Maura, and I am certified in HVAC installation and repair. I have many clients who call me in a panic because they have turned on their air conditioners and nothing has happened. Your air conditioning technician will get to you as soon as possible, but there are some steps you can take while you are waiting. You might just find that you are able to fix the problem on your own, although you will still want to have a professional assess the situation. In this blog I will take you through some common reasons your air conditioner might not be working and show you some easy temporary solutions.

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